Ambassadors

Equi-SMART is supported and represented by many amazing people in the horse industry. We are proud to have ambassadors that utilize Equi-SMART’s massage therapy programs for their horses, and share their great experiences with friends and people that they meet. Meet our ambassadors, follow their pages, and check out their testimonials of success with Equi-SMART’s programs!

Alexa

Alexa and Max have only been a team for a little under a year. This coming 2019 season they are taking on the OBRA, RAM, and potentially Rawhide rodeo circuits. Max is a little red QH cross that has an abundance of personality and looks! Not only does Max enjoy speeds events, but he also loves to jump and go for long trail rides.

Alexa competed in many disciplines in the appaloosa breed circuit, primarily specializing in halter and showmanship. Later she followed her love for speed and found herself training and competing in barrel racing and pole bending. While competing with Max, she will also be getting her young TB mare Ballistic ready to compete in the same circuits either next year or in the years to follow.

Kayla Jakobsson and her 10 year old rescued mare Wanderlust have been working hard in the jumper and dressage rings the past few years with ultimate sights on the eventing field. This summer the pair plan to compete at their first sanction event, and will continue to dabble in the dressage ring (training level) at Dressage Niagara.

Kayla started riding in high school and has been riding for 8 years, mostly hunter/jumper. Upon buying Wander from an auction 2 years ago, then completing a working student position with Jenny Jelen in the Niagara region she was converted to the “dark side” of eventing and hasn’t gone back. When they aren’t training they can be found supporting the OCEA circuit, playing in the jumper ring, hitting the trails, sorting cows, or swimming. They are super excited to have Equi-SMART as a part of their team!

Melia has been riding horses for 20+ years. She started in the APHA circuit riding western pleasure, horsemanship, and showmanship. Then she dabbled in the pony hunters before spending a great chunk of her riding career on reining horses. For the last four years she has both competed in and volunteered with the Retired Racehorse Project at the Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky. Her makeover horses competed successfully in a variety of disciplines including competitive trail, foxhunter, hunter, jumpers, and ranch work.

When Melia is not riding horses, she can be found at work teaching English online to children in China as well as working as a speech therapy assistant at an elementary school in Rama Ontario.

One of Melia’s makeover horses this year will be featured as her “ambassador horse” and is named Piazza time (known as Noni). She is a 5 year old big bay mare that Melia met in October of 2018. She is owned by a close friend of Melia’s, Alexis. There is still some time before Melia and Alexis need to decide what Noni will compete in down in Kentucky this October, but so far Noni is showing a strong affinity to jumping!

Melia firmly believes in all methods of therapy for her competing horses, and has a great relationship with her vet, chiropractor and massage therapist to keep her horses’ newly developing muscles functioning at their peak.

Laurie has been riding horses since she was a little kid. She owns a hobby horse farm in Waterford where she has her two OTTB geldings and a retired Percheron X mare. She shows the hunters, enjoys the occasional wine ride, and last year competed in Kentucky in the Thoroughbred Makeover and the Royal Winter Fair. Her horses are named Doughnut (Rising Dough) and Tappy (Tap Show). Laurie works full time as a Mounted Officer.

Kaeleigh is 19 years old and has been riding horses her whole life. She is a youth representative for her local horse club, North River Riders. Her main ride is an 18 year old QH chestnut mare named Sizzle. She is quite the spunky little red head that loves to run. Cash is a 7 year old QH Buckskin gelding. He is in his third year of showing. Chex is Kaeleigh’s black 5 year old QH gelding, off the track. He is just starting up his new journey into the barrel racing world.

Together, all Kaeleigh’s horses compete in barrel racing and pole bending. They compete across Ontario and the United States. Sizzle and her currently hold the youth 2D championship of OBRA. Kaeleigh can’t wait to begin show season with all of her hard working horses!